LHN may add third UT football game

AUSTIN — In their quest for leverage with cable and satellite companies, Texas and ESPN are getting serious.

UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Friday the Longhorns expect to have at least two and possibly three football games broadcast on the Longhorn Network this fall. A third game would be an increase from last year, when his office received widespread complaints about fans’ inability to watch two games on LHN.

Launched last August, LHN — which ESPN is paying UT $300 million over 20 years to own and operate — still isn’t carried by most major providers. And Dodds said he’s prepared for mass outrage if it isn’t picked up in time for the football season.

“But the pain will be worth the gain,” Dodds said.

UT isn’t involved in ESPN’s negotiations with cable and satellite companies, but Dodds said the school understands LHN is less likely to be carried if it doesn’t offer programming viewers covet.

The most coveted programming UT has is football. Dodds said if two games are on LHN this fall, they would likely be non conference games. A third game probably would be a Big 12 contest, Dodds said.